Washington, NYC buried under record snow

Washington, NYC buried under record snow

Washington and several cities in America's East Coast set a record since 1899 for snowfall after a blizzard slammed the region on Wednesday for the second time this week.

Tele-working accompanied by latest technological gadgets came to the rescue of the Obama administration and corporations through the record-breaking snowstorms that shut down the federal government offices since Monday.

In regions across the East Coast massive snow dumped up to two feet of snow during the day, with Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore being the hardest hit.

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Image: Bo, the Obama's family pet, plays in the snow during a blizzard on the south grounds of the White HousePhotographs: White House Photo by Pete Souza

The last record was set in 1898-99

Washington set a new record of 139 centimetres, breaking the old record -- set in 1898-99 -- by more than one centimetre, while Chicago set a record for the biggest daily snowfall in February.

The 13 inches of snow there topped the 11.5 that fell February 18, 1908. Baltimore's previous winter snowfall record of 158.8 centimetres was broken and in Philadelphia, 178.6 centimetres of snow has fallen so far this winter, breaking the previous record of 166.37.

In Baltimore and several other cities authorities imposed blanket ban on movement of vehicles except for emergency ones as driving was considered hazardous.

Image: Snow blankets the White House south grounds during a blizzardPhotographs: White House Photo by Pete Souza

Tele-working from home

Same has been the case with most of the private sector and corporations, especially software companies which are dotted along the Beltway in Virginia.

Employees have been asked to work from home as commuting to offices was considered to be unsafe.

Officials at the State Department too resorted to tele-working this week.

As reporters were unable to reach the headquarters of the State Department, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs P J Crowley held his daily press briefing over a teleconference on Tuesday. As many as 40 reporters joined the teleconference.

Image: A bike is covered by snow in Brooklyn, New YorkPhotographs: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

Congressional hearings cancelled

The House of Representative has cancelled votes for the remainder of the week.

"[On Tuesday] some of us made it to the office though we were told to work from home unless we could safely come to work," one Republican staffer was quoted as saying by The Hill.

"With laptops and Blackberries, it's not as though it's a total loss of time. As for Thursday, I am sure we will be working from home again though I have not received official word yet," the staffer said.

Image: A snowman with a pickle nose and eyes made of pennies sits in Times Square in New YorkPhotographs: Carlo Allegri/Reuters

It sure looks brighter a day later

The Washington Post reported that heavy snowfall across the region was expected to taper off by early Thursday morning as the system responsible for Wednesday's extreme weather moved farther offshore.

Patches of light snowfall and strong winds could persist across the Lower Great Lakes and the central and northern Appalachians, it added.

A report in Bloomberg said that the blizzard and record snowfall is costing taxpayers about $100 million each day the federal government is shut.

With major cities like Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa so far experiencing milder-than-normal winters, some Canadians are offering relief to their US neighbours, reported the Montreal Gazzette.

Image: Heavy equipment is used to try to clear the tarmac as snow continues to accumulate during a 'Nor-Easter weather pattern bringing blizzard conditions to Laguardia airport, in New YorkPhotographs: Chip East/Reuters